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Dignitaries and elected officials gathered for the official opening of the Bayou Lafourche Bridge at Larose Friday. Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development secretary Sherri H. LeBas and Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph had the

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) Secretary Sherri H. LeBas, state and local elected officials, along with several industry partners, gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception to mark the completion of the new Bayou Lafourche Bridge in Larose Friday afternoon.

The event, held at the bridge’s intersection at LA Hwy. 308, was hosted by the LA 1 Coalition and sponsored by Capital One Bank, Danos, GIS Trucking Division, Louisiana Tank Specialties, Offshore Towing, South Lafourche Bank, Tidewater Docks, and Vision Communications, with the reception following at the Larose Regional Park and Civic Center Pavilion.

With 18 percent of the nation’s energy supply flowing through Port Fourchon, the completion of this vital project will provide a more efficient route for oil and gas trucks heading to and from the port, which is America’s busiest intermodal energy hub.

“Over the last five years, the state has invested nearly $74 million in Lafourche Parish, improving nearly 70 miles of roadway,” said LeBas. “Delivering this project means improved access, efficiency and safety for important industry partners and thousands of Louisiana residents.”

The project, awarded to James Construction Group, LLC for approximately $31 million, is built approximately a quarter mile from the existing pontoon bridge, and is a six-lane vertical lift bridge connecting with the La. 657 alignment to Highway 3235.

The new structure replaces the 53-year old two-lane pontoon bridge which has already been dismantled.

“This bridge is another important component of the energy corridor and, of course, LA Hwy. 1 is such a critical, vital piece of infrastructure to move the energy through our country and all the tools that supply the rigs in Port Fourchon,” said Congressman Steve Scalise. “Having this as one more piece of the LA 1 corridor is going to be real important to creating more jobs in Louisiana and moving more energy throughout the country.”

The new bridge boasts a lift span, one of the largest in the state, which measures 84 feet by 122 feet. Each end of the lift span was raised on dual columns towering 96 feet in height, with sheaves measuring 13 feet in diameter and weighing in at 60,000 pounds.

Each approach to the bridge is composed of three 20-foot spans and an approach slab.

The project also included drainage installation, roadway widening and construction of a new operator control house.

“Projects like these stimulate economic growth, improve infrastructure and create jobs for thousands of Louisiana residents,” said Rep. Jerry Gisclair. “We are very appreciative of the funds received to push this project forward.”

“As always, we are grateful to Gov. Jindal, all the legislators and DOTD administrators who continue to support the ongoing infrastructure improvements in Lafourche Parish,” said President Charlotte Randolph. “Our community will greatly benefit from this new structure with improved travel times and an additional primary emergency evacuation route.”

The LA 1 Coalition, which advocates for the improvement of the highway system between Grand Isle and Highway 90, coordinated with DOTD to track progress and support public outreach during the project.

“We recognize the significance of critical infrastructure projects like the replacement of the Larose Bridge,” said Ted Falgout, Chairman of the Board. “Our main goal is to ensure that we continue to improve the safety and reliability of the LA 1 Corridor’s transportation network. The LA 1 Corridor is the nation’s sole congressionally designated ‘High Priority Corridor’ for its role as Critical Energy Infrastructure.”